This is an update on the last article I wrote (December 2017) concerning the “No Snow Removal Routes” roads in Fayette County. First let me apologize for causing any confusion with that article. Since writing the article the Supervisors and the County Engineer have had some concerns addressed to us by the traveling public and we do take all of your concerns seriously. When the decision was made to add more roads to the list this year we looked at roads that have no persons living on them. Also, we looked to see if there was an alternate route for people to use when we put these roads on a “no plow or low priority plow” list so as to not make a long unnecessary commute for the persons that use these roads daily.

The only thing that is set in stone is the Ten Commandments, everything else can be amended and with that being said, the Road Classification Map (No Snow Removal Route) has been amended, so you can, if you wish, once again go the Fayette County web site and download an updated map for the No Snow Removal Route roads. During a tough winter, it is very important that our plow operators are able to focus on the most critical roads. We all know that some roads are much more difficult to keep open than others. If you have recommendations on routes to add to the “no plow or low priority plow” list, please talk with a member of the Board of Supervisor’s or your County Engineer, Joel Fantz.

Here are some interesting facts, from the past five years, on the cost of removing snow in the County which includes any and all work/expenses that goes into getting the equipment ready to actually removing the snow from the roads. The highest cost was in Fiscal Year 2014 with $1,087,200.86 spent toward the snow removal expenses and the lowest was in Fiscal Year 2015 with $446,397.73. Costs ranged from $952.85 to $391.23 per mile. The two week (pay period) that received the highest cost of snow removal was in January 2017 between the 15th and the 28th, at a cost of $208,386.20. As of February 24, 2018, the County has spent $294,976.72 on snow removal. As I am writing this article things are iced over and the snow is falling, so there will be more cost for snow removal this year.

On to a more pleasant topic, I hope, that is the parking lot at the Courthouse. This project was put on hold a few year ago due to finding water issues within the Courthouse which lead to new windows being installed in the Courthouse. The parking lot is back on as a project this summer/fall as we have received approval from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHIPO) to proceed with the project.

There will be parking issues that people will need to be made aware of, with limited or no parking in the current parking lot at the Courthouse so you may be asked to park on the streets that surround the Courthouse which will require some walking.

The current sidewalk, that runs directly aside the south and west side of the Courthouse, will be extended to include the north and the east side also. As of now those who are handicapped have to use the west door however with the improvements they will have access to the east door with handicapped parking clearly marked. Along with the parking lot project there will also be improvements to the north and east sidewalks, next to the street, as they are crumbling apart and difficult to walk on with standing water that turns into ice in the cold weather.